Madelynn Payne Capstone Process Book

MADELYNN PAYNE Senior Capstone Final Notebook

THE PROPOSAL

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Blues/Blue Greens:

-The most comforting/peaceful color -Creates a calming effect and reduces tension in the body

Orange:

-Represents happiness/joy/sociability -Lends itself towards confidence and independence -Compliments blue/green

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LOGO EXPLORATION Research towards the logo: In a study conducted with foster children, art therapy was used to analyze a child’s emotions and feelings with the therapist.

From a design standpoint, I was able to use the researcher’s study and conclude that their creative “scribble” marks can ultimately be a road to therapeutic healing for the child.

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FINAL LOGO

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PACKAGING INSPO/PROGRESS

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FINAL PACKAGING

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ALL KIT COLLATERAL

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MOTION GRAPHIC ADS

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WEBSITE

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Madelynn Payne Senior Capstone Research Paper

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In the U.S. today, there are nearly 400,000 children (anywhere from infants to 21 years of age) who are a part of the foster care system. Nearly every child who ends up in foster care has at some point in their lives experienced: domestic violence, physical torture, sexual abuse, drug addiction, extreme neglect or abandonment by their guardians. Because of their unhealthy situations, they are unable to continue living with their parents and are forced out of their homes.

As for any child, it is important for stability in order to further both social and physiological development. Over the years, research has proven how art therapy can help regain this development and allow for a bonding experience for the child with the parent. One study claims that art therapy “combines the creative process and psychotherapy, facilitating growth through self-exploration and understanding. Using imagery, colour, and shape as part of this creative therapeutic process, thoughts and feelings may be expressed that would otherwise be difficult to articulate. (Integrating Art 15).

Research has proven that creativity in children allows for a chance “to grow and develop self-awareness through self-expression” (Phelps). Because of this freedom of self-awareness, many researchers have been able to prove that this reduces tension in the body, and allows for overall psychological/physical healing. Additionally, positive self-expression allows for a sense of individual achievement for the child; ultimately, making this an activity that he or she may wish to continue doing. Unfortunately, many foster kids exhibit aggressive behavior and characteristics only because they are trying to express their emotions (and even past emotions) in a way that their words cannot. Luckily, art therapy can be a positive outlet to express what they may be holding in and allow for a moment of mentorship from the guardian as well.

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2 In Utilizing Art Therapy to overcome Cumulative Trauma experienced by Adolescents admitted into the Foster Care System, research conducted by Meghan J. Krikorian studies how multiple ongoing therapy sessions with the adult and child lends itself towards positive overall outcomes. Because every child in the foster care system has experienced different types of trauma, every coping mechanism is unique as well. By using art therapy to discover how a child behaves currently, can ultimately play a part in his or her future relationships as well. Ramos -Saenz states “Art therapy can integrate effective coping skills into their lives for better emotional management, and resiliency” (Ramos-Saenz 7).

Like previously stated, one of the most important characteristics is the bond or “attachment” between a child and adult in the early development stages. Some children in the foster care system can move up to three times in just one year. With that comes a change in family members, home, bedroom, school, friendships and more. Studies show that “60% of children with major health problems are more likely to experience multiple placements while children with minor health issues were 4.5 times more likely to experience three or more placements” (Ramos-Saenz 20). This data proves just how powerful the constant changing of home and guardians truly affect a child.

For these children, art therapy becomes anything they want it to be. It can be ugly, beautiful, messy, confusing; as long as they are expressing their feelings from within. The truth is, though these children have not had the opportunity to make real connections, they long for it.

So, allowing the opportunity to safely express their emotions while doing so with their guardian, ultimately ends in a positive result. Without these bonds with the parent, the child no longer has what he or she needs to have a proper development. The connections are important and significantly increase their self-esteem. Many foster parents often become concerned about what

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3 their child is drawing. Some believe it is too harsh or too violent. Others suggest it alludes to sadness or anger. Nonetheless, the child is able to express feelings they may or may not have ever been able to express before; lending itself towards being a good thing.

Many researchers believe that art therapy should be considerably more normalized than it is, especially in children who have undergone years of trauma. One researcher claims that “We will be tapping the enormous potential of the field if theory builders in art therapy take a hard look at the powerful therapeutic potential of art as it functions in normalizing ways” (Congdon 43). Using this expressive art is a chance for the child to truly heal. Their brainwave patterns change, their breathing slows, and their bodies become more relaxed allowing the caregiver to create a positive impact on their lives and use the art activity as a mentorship moment. For many kids who have experienced extreme abuse, certain art materials can become triggering or create flashbacks to unwanted dark memories. With any art therapy session, each project should provide: safety, empowerment, boundaries and trust.

The use of color in art has also been proven to affect children in different ways. For example, an intense use of red may speed up their heart rate and make the child more restless or tense. Colors can trigger a child’s emotion, mind, and body; and with the right color, can improve behavior. When studying art therapy, paying attention to how each child is differently affected is important too. Of all the colors, blue/green are the most relaxing and calming for kids resulting in a reduction in body temperature, pulse, and blood pressure. Because of the abuse, color becomes significant when conducting different art projects.

While art therapy has proven positive results for the foster child, it can also be important for the parent as well. What many people are unaware of is the intense experience that guardians must encounter to become a foster parent. Training, medical courses, background checks, and

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4 lengthy paperwork are just a few of the beginning steps that must be taken by the parent early on in the process. All that to be said, it is not an easy job. Some believe that foster parents are to be glorified, or they are just like every other parent. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Foster parents too, get burned out; and, some get burned out quick. Dealing with the abusive baggage that comes along with a foster child, no matter the age, is not easy. There are endless therapy sessions and counselors that help along the way, but ultimately most of the foster child’s time is spent with the parent.

Since the parent undergoes hardship during this process as well, art therapy becomes that much more important. One study claims “Foster parents can create a secure base for children in their care by being available, helping them manage their behavior and feelings, building their self-esteem, helping them feel effective and helping them to belong in the foster family” (Steenbakkers). Introducing art therapy into the child and parent’s relationship enables trust that eventually carries over into other areas of the child’s life. Overtime, this connection bridges a gap that has been so broken for so long. Parents are able to use art as a tool and begin making small steps towards positive mentorship within the different activities.

Using creativity as a mentorship opportunity has been proven to be successful in kids of many different ages. Though most of the impact depends on the child’s attention capabilities, most parents find this time to be exceedingly successful. When a child is participating in something they enjoy, they are more willing to listen and communicate. Oftentimes, the child feels eager to show his or her guardian their successful creation or masterpiece. Most of the time, this comes from lack of attention in the child’s life, and the parents are aware of that. By utilizing these joyful moments, guardians are able to create teaching moments that they may have not been given without art.

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5 Over time, the child will adapt to these mentorship moments through the creative sessions and learn to self-regulate their emotions. This empowers the child’s decision making and allows both the parent and child to stay in the present. Since so many thoughts of the child are consumed by the weight of his or her past, staying in the present as often as possible becomes extremely important for both ends of the relationship. More than likely, this is the first time in the child’s life that they are able to just be a “normal” kid. They have permission to paint and color whatever they imagine, while being surrounded by powerful, uplifting words.

Many parents often use this time to ask open ended questions instead of digging for specific answers from the child. An appropriate example of questions to ask the child while creating art could correlate to the child’s emotions. Most kids enjoy drawing animals or even people. It could be appropriate for the parent to ask “What is the turtle feeling?” or “Do you think the little girl you drew needs anything?”. The answers that most kids give will more than likely be a reflection of what they are feeling in that moment as well. It is important that the parents truly reflect on what the child has mentioned (if anything) when asked certain questions.

Though sometimes questions may not be answered, other times could result in clarity on problems that could be happening from within.

Non-judgement is an important aspect during art therapy from the parent as well. In order for the child to feel empowered and safe, an overflow of positive reinforcement is crucial during these times. In the book, Advocating for Children in Foster and Kinship Care, Rosenwald mentions that becoming a foster parent means “committing oneself to the time, attention, and level of care that a young person needs, as well as the time it takes to advocate for that youth” (Rosenwald 5). As long as the environment is comfortable and uplifting, the child will more than likely wish to continue participating in the creativity activities; which like mentioned previously,

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6 could be crucial when wishing to receive positive long term effects. Like stated in Integrating Art and Play Based Activities into Children Who witness Abuse Programs, trauma is speechless.

There is no real correct way to translate what a child is feeling and truly comprehend their experiences. Art helps face their fears and encourages them to put those fears into words that might be able to help guardians better understand.

Though art encourages a fearless environment, ongoing stress or tension may affect a foster child’s ability to participate in art projects. For example, if a child already feels overwhelmed prior to the projects, they may be unable to decide on a color or feel unsatisfied with their artwork. When this occurs, it is important for foster parents to realize that it is okay to discontinue the project for the day in order to not amplify their current emotions. In some cases, foster children are “bombarded with material things, while there is little emphasis on attachment and connectedness” (Integrating Art 77). Because of this, many children have a hard time exploring creativity on their own. In this instance, helping the child physically make the art piece becomes crucial depending on his or her current emotional needs.

When understanding the child’s emotional needs, it is also important for the guardian to realize that keeping their own trauma out of the picture when working together can be critical. In the book, Creative Therapies for Complex Trauma : Helping Children and Families in Foster Care, Kinship Care or Adoption, Topalian states “the widely accepted first phase in trauma recovery work - ‘that of stabilization’ - needs to be the initial focus; gradually efforts are then made to disentangle whether it is unresolved trauma or secondary trauma that dominates the caregiver’s responses to the child” (Topalian 51). In this instance, the last thing that needs to happen to the traumatized, abused child is for more trauma and abuse to be thrown on them in any given circumstance. Art therapy introduces a new level of healing for the child. So while

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7 even foster parents still have off days, during these sessions every moment matters. Unresolved trauma from outside responsibilities or events should be left at the door before beginning a session with a child.

Art displays a nurturing metaphor that can often create comfort for children rather quickly. Because of the skills that can be developed over time, the materials that become familiar and the achievement that gets built upon, foster children are often able to grow attached to this therapy without much force. When art therapy sessions are done often and right, “art can be used to ameliorate and anticipate the likelihood of change” (Betts 145). Overtime, when art becomes a constant refueling factor in the foster child’s life they no longer become dependent on the parent or guardian but rather the act of creating on their own; the key here is to make sure the art travels with them and remains constant in their life. Not only does art create comfort, but the materials used throughout art projects help provide sensory experiences that, unfortunately, many foster children have lacked most of their lives. Bright colors, strong scented markers and soft materials are just a few examples of sensory experiences the child encounters when participating in art.

Many infants experience this type of sensory bond with their mothers growing up; however, for the children that are robbed of that connection, these materials provide great importance.

Surprisingly, what children choose to create says a lot about what their current outlook is on their home placement. For instance, in one study a therapist asked the child to create an animal with a block of clay. The child chose to build a turtle and when the therapist questioned why the child chose to construct this particular animal his response was that “it carries his home with him wherever it goes” (Betts 147). In this case, it was obvious that the child had been greatly affected by his multiple home placements and emotionally connected to the chosen animal of a turtle. For many kids, the result could be the same. Sessions should be used as a tool

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8 for connection, communication and growth. Moreover, sessions are about healing and paying attention to the specific needs of each child’s unique case.

Though there are a select group of children who have a negative experience with foster families, the majority of children feel loved, secure and welcomed. In the book, Foster Children: Where They Go and How They Get On, multiple children were interviewed and asked what fostering meant to them. Some responses included: “fostering is love”, “fostering is when someone looks after me forever”, and “fostering feels safe; it feels warm”. (Sinclair 150).

Though these responses are from children of all ages, they hold value in their meaning and they represent the true outlook most children have on their foster families. When there is love in a child’s life, there is empowerment; and, when there is empowerment there is a future full of success. Art opens the door for enhancing these empowered attributes and further gives the child a real sense of purpose.

When children have been abused and neglected their entire lives, they ultimately learn to trust no one. Learning patterns of misleading truths in a child’s developmental stages eventually extends into emotional and violent behavior patterns as well. With this behavior, lack of attachment and fear is in full effect, making it difficult to form a bond with the parent or guardian. Luckily, art is a bridge. It expresses emotions that sometimes words cannot. It gives the child a level of control over his or her current activity. And, most importantly, it enables trust with parents and family members that will eventually develop into trust with other human interactions throughout the child's life. Over time, not only is the child capable of developing a connection with the parent, but he or she will also be capable of trusting their own artistic abilities within the creative process. Like previously stated, this level of self achievement becomes important for children of all ages during the early developmental years.

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9 Surprisingly, even young children whom you may not think are capable of analyzing their true feelings and emotions are often exceedingly capable of doing so time and time again. All children, no matter their age remember what they have gone through. They remember the abandonment that they suffered through as a young child. They remember the multiple houses they have been moved to over the years. And, they remember how every adult has impacted them over the years - good or bad. Through their experiences, they are able to take what has happened to them and use art to communicate to us how they really feel. In one study, a child was asked to find an object outside and write a short story about the object. Upon her discovery, she found a small block of cement with a tiny seashell mixed inside of it. In the story the child wrote how the shell had traveled “from the peaceful, idyllic beach, through a grinding cement factory, to a hectic service road” (Betts 195). Children remember what they have gone through and they find themselves relating to objects, to artwork and to stories.

Giving a child a chance to be empowered, to feel secure, and to build trust with their current guardian provides long lasting joy and a safe future. Art reminds children that anything is possible and that there is good in this world. It reminds them that they are heard and that they can express their feelings without directly answering a checklist of questions. Utilizing art therapy not only benefits the foster child, but benefits the parent as well. When there is more of a genuine connection, there is a relationship that is not forced, but cherished. Art unravels conversations and feelings that may have never been uncovered without it. Unasked questions are answered, and self reflected problems are solved all from being open and expressive within sessions.

Creativity offers a pathway of identification for the child, and if the parent participates in the art sessions in a positive, uplifting manner they are able to watch the child unravel their true identity over time.

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10 All in all, art in foster children has proven to open doors of communication, offer safety and trust, create empowerment, lend itself towards self achievement and most importantly offer a therapeutic psychological experience that both the child and parent can enjoy together. These sessions reduce tension and stress in a child’s body making them more adapt to listening and absorbing valuable lessons that they might have missed out on without it. Ultimately, every child is different and every story is different; however, research has proven time and time again that no matter the circumstance, there will be some level of positive improvement when art therapy between a child and parent is implemented into the relationship.

In conclusion, foster children deserve the same treatment and care that other fortunate children have been provided with in their developmental stages as well. With art therapy, significant changes can be made and long lasting impacts can take place on the child’s behavioral patterns, emotions, and outlook on his or her parents. Being given with a guardian they can trust ultimately enables the child to trust other family members and their home environment as well.

With growth over time, that same trust will be carried over into academics, the workplace, and their own families one day. Art for foster children can be life changing. Parents of foster children hold an exceedingly powerful tool at their fingertips if they choose to implement art therapy sessions into their weekly or monthly routines. Years of mental issues and behaviors are changed, a new page is turned, and children are given a new chance at life. They are reminded that they are valued and important, with the path of creativity to thank.

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11 References

Betts, Donna J. Creative Arts Therapies Approaches in Adoption and Foster Care : Contemporary Strategies for Working with Individuals and Families. Charles C Thomas, 2003.

Congdon, Kristin G. “Normalizing Art Therapy.” Art Education, vol. 43, no. 3, 1990, pp. 19–43.

JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/3193221. Accessed 3 Mar. 2021.

Integrating Art and Play Based Activities into Children Who witness Abuse Programs. 4 Mar. 2012 Mitchell Rosenwald, and Beth N. Riley. Advocating for Children in Foster and Kinship Care : A Guide to Getting the Best Out of the System for Caregivers and Practitioners. Columbia University Press, 2010.

Phelps, Don. Therapeutic Use of Expressive Arts With Children. N.D. https://www.socialworktoday.com/archive/exc_020712.shtml Ramos-Saenz, Adela R., "Utilizing Art Therapy to overcome Cumulative Trauma experienced by Adolescents admitted into the Foster Care system" (2019). Undergraduate Honors College Theses 2016-. 48.

Sinclair, Ian. Foster Children : Where They Go and How They Get On. Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2005.

Steenbakkers, A., Van Der Steen, S. & Grietens, H. The Needs of Foster Children and How to Satisfy Them: A Systematic Review of Literature. Clin Child Fam Psychol Rev 21, 1–12 (2018).

Topalian, Sue, et al. Creative Therapies for Complex Trauma : Helping Children and Families in Foster Care, Kinship Care or Adoption. Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2017.

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